Naples

The area’s breathtaking beauty and resort city status has attracted commerce from across the Inland Northwest. Over the last decade, the county has added many jobs across a vast range of industries. Coeur d’Alene was recently ranked No. 5 on Inc. Magazine’s list of the hottest cities for entrepreneurs. With this new diversification of industry and population increase, the town has become more sophisticated in its retail and dining offerings. The Kroc Center is a new 12-acre facility featuring a chapel/performing arts center, recording studio, teen activities center and game room, aquatics center, sports training and recreation center. However, the town still retains its local charm, and more importantly, has made preserving its open spaces and well-groomed trails and paths in and around the town a top priority.

Hungry? Join the locals for a mouth-watering, unforgettable Hudson Hamburger on Sherman Avenue. This family owned business has been in Coeur d’Alene for over a hundred years. A short stroll to the end of Coeur d’Alene city dock and you’re in the capable hands of Brooks Seaplane, established in 1946, famous for its breathtaking Lake Coeur d’Alene Loop Flight. History buffs will want to investigate Fort Sherman, located in and around North Idaho College, where several original buildings survive from the old fort. Named after Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman, Sherman came west in 1877 to establish a military fort and chose this awe-inspiring and strategic spot where Lake Coeur d’Alene and the head of the Spokane River converge.

Community pride is on display at the plethora of area events. June’s sunshine brings the roar of the Car d’Lane Classic Car Show. 4th of July Fireworks light up the night sky with one of the best pyrotechnics show in the area. August shines for the Wooden Boat Show and regional artists’ handiwork at Art on the Green and try lip smacking tasty northwest cuisine at A Taste of Coeur d’Alene. The homemade huckleberry ice cream is a local specialty! Check the schedules for the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theater and the Lake City Playhouse for exciting productions and check out our events calendar for a full listing of community and cultural events.

For those who want to spend time on the links, the internationally acclaimed, award winning, Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course boasts the world’s first and only floating golf green. Several new luxury golf courses & communities are planned in Kootenai County. In addition, there are many fine, public golf courses to tee off.

Tubbs Hill is regarded by the locals as a wilderness haven right in the heart of downtown Coeur d’Alene. Hikers and walkers are rewarded with a spectacular view of the lake and the town when they tackle this Hill. Mountain bikers and hikers head towards the groomed trails at the Canfield Mountain Trail System. The 32-mile trail system was designed so the entire trail network can be accessed without traveling on roads open to cars or trucks.

On I-90, east of the city, stands the 300-foot high and 1720-foot long Veteran’s Centennial Memorial Bridge. Each year, from November to January, visit Wolf Lodge Bay for a spectacular view of bald eagles on their migratory flight (Exit 22 off I-90 east). The eagles stop here and at Beauty Bay to feed on spawning Kokanee salmon. Turn South on Hwy 97 and marvel at the sights and sounds of the Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway along the Lake until it ends at Hwy 3. Along the way, Mineral Ridge Recreation Area provides picnic facilities and spectacular lake views from hiking trails above the lake.

From Coeur d’Alene, Hwy 95 South passes the Blackwell Island Recreation Site, featuring four public boat launch lanes and picnic area. Continuing south on Hwy 95, you will pass the Cougar Bay Nature Conservancy with hundreds of acres of preserved wetland habitat. Try and locate some of the 146 species of birds that have been identified. Further south lies, The Club at Black Rock, a private community with jaw-dropping views of Lake Coeur d’Alene and an exceptional golf course named by Golf Digest as one of the Best New Private Course’s in 2003.

Just as you Head north to Hayden, you’ll find Triple Play Family Entertainment Center. There is a host of activities the whole family will love including, bumper boats, go karts, climbing wall, bowling, miniature golf, laser tag and even a water park. Hayden is a friendly, close-knit community, once home to Bing Crosby. Highlighting the tour is the beautiful 4000-acre forest fringed Hayden Lake.

Located fifteen miles north of Coeur d’Alene you won’t want to miss Silverwood Theme Park, the largest theme park in the Northwest offering thrilling roller coasters and the Boulder Beach Water Park, which features a gigantic wave pool, tube slides, a 3-slide high-speed body slide complex, a lazy river, and more.

With the oldest brick Catholic church (1890’s) and a jail also built in the 1890’s (soon to become a museum), the town of [8] Rathdrum is one of the oldest towns in the Idaho Panhandle, now one of the fastest growing in the state. The Northern Pacific laid its tracks through Rathdrum in 1881. It followed the trails used by the bands of Coeur d’Alenes and Spokanes who hunted and gathered in this area and further north. Fur traders and gold seekers also used the trail before the train came. In fact, it is said that historian and explorer, David Thompson, camped at the outlet of Lower Twin Lake.